Operation
32
Pay particular attention to the safety informa-
tion on page 5.
Please read all warning and notice labels on
your snowmobile. Also, read the Snowmobil-
er’s Safety Handbook that is supplied with
your snowmobile.
Learning to ride your snowmobile
Before you ride, always perform the pre-oper-
ation checks listed on page 28. The short time
spent checking the condition of the snowmo-
bile will be rewarded with added safety and a
more reliable snowmobile. Always wear the
proper clothing for both warmth and to help
protect you from injury if an accident occurs.
Become familiar with operating your snowmo-
bile at low speeds, even if you are an experi-
enced rider. Do not attempt to operate at
maximum performance until you are totally fa-
miliar with the snowmobile’s handling and
performance characteristics.
The beginning operator should select a large
flat area to become familiar with the snowmo-
bile. Make sure that this area is free of obsta-
cles and other traffic. You should practice
control of the throttle and brake, and master
turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain.
Set the parking brake and follow the instruc-
tions on page 30 to start the engine. Once the
engine has warmed up, you are ready to be-
gin riding your snowmobile.
To start out and accelerate
1.
With the engine idling, release the park-
ing brake.
2.
Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly.
The V-belt clutch will engage and you will
start to accelerate.
WARNING! Do not
allow anyone to stand behind the
snowmobile when starting the engine.
A broken track, track fittings, or debris
thrown by the track could be danger-
ous to bystanders.
[EWS00690]
Braking
WARNING
EWS00220
●
Many surfaces such as ice and hard-
packed snow require much longer stop-
ping distances. Be alert, plan ahead, and
begin decelerating early.
●
Improper use of the brake can cause the
drive track to lose traction, reduce con-
trol, and increase the possibility of an
accident.
When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brake gently—not sud-
denly.
Turning
For most snow surfaces, “body English” is the
key to turning.
As you approach a curve, slow down and be-
gin to turn the handlebar in the desired direc-
tion. As you do so, put your weight on the
running board to the inside of the turn and
lean your upper body into the turn.
This procedure should be practiced at low
speeds many times, in a large flat area with no
obstacles. Once you have learned this tech-
nique, you should be able to perform it at high-
er speeds or in tighter curves. Lean more as
the turn gets sharper or is made at higher
speeds.
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